A bright idea to save money: dim the lights

OLDHAM’S street lights could be dimmed in the future in a bid to be eco-friendly and to save money.

All new street lights installed across the borough are fitted with dimmers and there is already 1,000 in Hathershaw and Fitton Hill — though they are working at full power.

As well as a dimmer, each new lamp will say how much electricity is being used and will issue a warning when bulbs are set to blow.

About 35,000 lights will be replaced across Oldham and Rochdale as part of a joint street-lighting private finance initiative project.

Tony Noblett, director of highways and engineering, said: “We are looking at options to reduce the cost of street lighting, and this could include the dimming of some lights along main roads.

“But there are no plans to do this in residential areas or the town centre.

“When we get the new street lighting PFI, it will allow us to dim lights along principal routes, such as Manchester Road, by about a third.

“One option would be to reduce the lights between 2am and dawn. It is primarily an environmental saving and allows us to reduce our carbon footprint. But it also increases the lamp’s longevity.”

Mr Noblett said it was expected that cabinet approve a preferred bidder for the scheme in December. Installation work could start as soon as April and last five years.

However, one Royton resident, who did not want to be identified, said dimming street lights could cause problems.

She said: “Why do we pay council tax and road tax?

“The roads could be deadly if they are inadequately lit.”